Intrinsic Factors: William Bosworth Castle and the Development of Hematology and Clinical Investigation at Boston City Hospital

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Summary: Extraordinary tale of what real doctoring is about
Review: In this era when the TV series ER has come to symbolize what medicine is, this extraordinary story of the life and scientific pursuit of one clinician is not just enthralling and inspiring, but is also a reminder that medicine is so much more than the sort of drama celebrated on TV. There is a quieter drama, that of a life lived in pursuit of a goal and following certain beliefs. The book HOUSE OF GOD was written as a satire, but it is amazing how many medical students have come to see it as gospel, taken it seriously (check out the readers' comments for that book and you will see what I mean). INTRINSIC FACTORS is really the book that medical students, and preferably pre-med students should read to grasp the romance and passion of medicine, a love affair that is greater than HMOs and financial pressures and goverment regulations. Karnad tells this story beautifully.

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Summary: A story about when medicine was focused on the patient.
Review: The story of William Bosworth Castle is a story of medical pioneers - men and women who were committed to helping patients at any costs - often at the price of their own personal resources. It's a story of a man - and his colleagues - for who monetary reward was a non-existent consideration - and who were willing to sacrifice even their own health to make medical progress. It's about a time when Physicians were willing to work long hours in primitive conditions - to produce an ethic and academic tradition that resulted in a program that trained a cadre of physicians who had a lasting effect on academic medicine that persists to the present day.

William Castle represents the type of "role model" who's influence far transcends his time and place. I had the honor of training in Castle's tradition. I'm grateful for that.

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Summary: An inspirational story for any medical student or resident
Review: The story of William Castle and his discovery of the cause of pernicious anemia. The author captures the character and work ethic of this esteemed physican and educator. It describes the atmosphere of academic excellence at the Boston City Hospital. The author clearly understands that the virtues of the clinician investigator are timeless.